Gary asked to rectify problems in church day care center’s zoning

A church has been operating day care programs for children in Gary for nearly four years, but has only recently learned they did not have the proper city permits.

Representatives of the Life Church International appeared Thursday before the Common Council’s planning committee, seeking special use permits to make all the services they have been offering in compliance with the law.

The church is the owner of the former Kuby Elementary School building at 5050 Vermont St. LaFonda Bradley said the church uses three trailer structures on the property for their day care services, with infants cared for in one trailer, slightly older children in a second trailer and school-age children in a third.

But Indiana state officials who regulate day care centers informed the church that their existing Gary city permit only covered one trailer, and that they would have to obtain separate permits for each trailer – even though all operate under the same address.

Gary’s Board of Zoning Appeals already has recommended the change, and Planning committee members on Thursday were inclined to go along.

“This is about rectifying a mistake that should have been taken care of four years ago,” said Sarah Kobetis, the city’s deputy planning director.

Bradley said the day care services, which are provided 24 hours per day, six days a week, are part of a larger plan to turn the one-time school building into a community center to serve its surrounding neighborhood.

“We want to develop a center so we can give back to our citizens,” she said.

Bradley admitted the services are limited right now to the day care center that can handle just under 100 children, as the main school building itself is out of commission. She said that just after the church purchased the property, someone came in and stole copper wiring and other materials from the building.

Church officials are trying to raise money to restore the building to full use.